Washing machine



Feb.. v13, .1923.

D. M. WENGER WASHING MACHINE 5, 1922 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Jan.

Feb 13, 1923. 1,444,93

D. M. NENGER WASHING MACHINE Patented Feb. 13, I923.

DAVID M. WENGER, OE IiEOLA, PENNSYLVANIA.

WASHING MACHINE.

Application filed January 5, 1922. Serial No. 527,152.

To all whom it may concern c it known that/I, DAVID M. WENGER, a citizen of the United States, residin at Leola, in the county of Lancaster and tate of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements chines; and I do hereby declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which "it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to machines adapted to treat objects with a liquid; and more particularly to machines adapted to subject articles of clothing or other articles made from textilefabricsto the action of a cleansing liquid.

The object of the invention is to subject every portion and fiber of a fabric to the action of a liquid by repeatedly forcing said liquid back and forth through the interstices of the fabric.

The invention consists in-the combination and in the several subcombi-nations and details of structure more specifically set forth in the ensuing description, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and defined in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters indicate throughout the several views I Figure 1 is a vertical section taken centrally through a machine embodying this invention f 1 Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the outer tub and inner rotary receptacle when the latter is disposed horizontally, but showing the plunger operating bars' partly in section and partly in full line;

Figure 3 is a transverse section through one end of the inner receptacle, and

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view taken, on line 44 of Figure 2.

This invention is based upon the principle ")f cleansing or otherwise treating textile fabrics or articles made thereof by causing the cleansing or other treating liquid to pass successively and continuouslyback and forth in which like parts through the interstices .of the fabrics. In. the accompanying drawings I have illus-u will be understood that the invention is not 1 in Washing Ma- I to be limited otherwise than by the definitions thereof in the appended claims.

In the drawings, 1 indicates an exterior vessel, which will be here designated a tub. This vessel may, as shown, have a semicylindrical bottom 2, merging into parallel upright sides 3 arranged at right anglesto opposite plane walls' 4. A liquid outlet 5 may beformed in'the lower'portion of the tub, said outlet 5 being here shown as formed in one of the plane walls 4 at the lowest point thereof. The said tub l may be constructed of wood or any suitable mate'- rial of a non-corrosible nature such as a non-ferrous metal or sheet iron coated with a protective coating. At the corners of the tub l. at the joint formed between the sides 3 and walls 4 I have shown standards 6- which may be angle irons, saidstandards extendin 7 downward below the curved bottom of t e tub, their lower ends constituting feet 7 ,by which the tub is. supported on the floor or other foundation. ing transversely between the standards 6 are four braces 8 and 8 which may be also of angle iron, the braces8'extending parallel with the plane of the walls 4 of the tub and supporting the curved bottom of the tub at opposite sides; and, as shown, the outlet port 5 maybe extended'thr'ough one of the flanges of one of 'saidbraces 8 and said outlet may be con-trolled by any suitable cock (not shown). The braces 8, which may also be of an le iron, extend between standards 6 at right angles to the braces 8. The upper edge'of the tub 1 may be bordered by other angle irons 9 and 9 as illustrated, to stiffen the upper edges of the tub if the latter be made of thin sheet material; A coveris provided, as indicated 'in dotted lines in Figure l, to close the top Extendof the tub 1 to retain steam-and suds arisin from action of inner receptacle.'

l ivoted within the tub 1, in such manner as to be capable of rotation'or oscillation within and removal fromsaid tub, is a re-' 'ceptacle .10 which may be designated the washing receptacle. This washing recep- 'tacle is preferablyoblon'g in form and prefera-bly' cylindrical, having an axial length greater than its diameter. In the embodiment shown the washing "receptacle-is pivoted on a transverse axis. intersectifig the axis of the cylinder midway between theture of the bottom 2. Said bearings, 12 may be, as shown, flanged thimbles, the flanges 13 of which are in contact with the inner faces of said walls 4, while the reduced portions 14 thereof project through said walls and are threaded into engagement with nuts or rings 15 that secure said bearings to the walls 4. The dimensions of the washing receptacle and all parts associated therewith are such that during the rotation of the receptacle no part thereof can come in contact with any part of the tub. The trunnions ll'may be connected (to receptacle 10 in any desired manner suitable for the purpose of quickly and conveniently removing receptacle 10 from tub 1. I have shown the trunnions 11 as consisting of studs having reduced threaded ends screwed into members 16 which may be bolted, brazed, welded, or otherwise secured to diametrically opposite portions of the wall of the receptacle 10.

Extending transversely of the receptacle 10 is a pervious partition 17, which may be a grating, grid or perforated plate of such nature as will not permit articles of clothing or other articles being treated in the washing receptacle to pass from one side of the partition to the other, but will permit the liquid to pass freely through said pan tition and flow from end to end of the receptacle.

In one side of the'receptacle 10, equally spaced circumferentially from the. trunnions 11, are two openings 18 for the admis- -.sion of clothing or other articles into said receptacle. These openings'are preferably of equal size, one at each side of the partition 17. A suitable cover or covers for these openings are provided as indicated in dotted lines.

In order to subject the articlesof clothing or other objects to repeated action of the cleansing or other treatingliquid two plungers 19 are provided, one on each side of the central partition-17, thus formingbetween said partition and each plunger a space or chamber for the accommodation-of the objects. Each plunger19 is preferably of a general dished or conoidal contour the concavities of which face each other and the central partition 17. The said plungers 19 are connected together so that they .operate in unison, movement of one plunger away from the central partition causing movement o-fthe other plunger toward the central partition. vThe connecting members intense between the plungers are preferably disposed at the sides of the washing receptacle and kept out of contact with the objects contained therein. Two oppositely disposed connecting members may be used so that the strain. of operation will be symmetrically distributed. In the embodimentillustrated two parallel grooves, constituting guides 24, are formed lengthwise atthe sides of the receptacle along diametrically opposite areas. Said guides 24. may be formed in the material of the receptacle 10 by pressing inward the material of said receptacle or they may be formed as separate troughshaped bodies the edges of which may be welded or otherwise secured to semicylin drical members which, together with said 10, as illustrated. At thdextremities of the guides 24 there may be additional guide members 25. Moving Within the guide members 24 and having bearing in the members 25 are the connecting members which unite the two plungers 19. Each connecting member or bar is composed preferably of two separate members or bars 26 and 27 adapted to move to a limited extent relatively to each other (as will later be explained) and said members may be held together by a coil spring 28 one end of which is secured to the member 26 and the other to the member 27 and exerts its tension so as to draw said members constantly toward each other. In order to accommodate the coil spring Within the groove of the guide 24, the adjacent ends of said members 26 and 27 may be reduced and the coil springs encircle them. The reduced end 29 of one member may slide within a bore formed in the reduced end 30 of the other member in order to assist in keeping said members 26 and 27' in alinement during their operation. The outer ends of members 27 may be connected together by a bar 31 which extends from one member 27 to the other and the central portion of which is secured inany suitable manner to the head 23 of a plunger 19. The ends; of the members 26 are similarly connectedbya bar 81 which is also secured to the outside of the head 23 of the corresponding plunger. The connecting bars 31 are connected to ends 32 of the members 26, 27, in any manner so as to permit bar 31 with plunger 19 to be conveniently andv quickly unfastened from members 26 and 27 and lifted from receptacle 10 when in a vertical positionthus allowing the contents to be placed into or removed from receptacle 10 through its large open ends. By the construction disclosed it will be apparent that the two plunger heads 19 are elastically connected together byconnecting means comprising the two members or bars 26 and 27 described,,and that if necessity arises the than the normal distance between them as will presently appear. i

The plungers 19 are grooved at opposite points in their sides in order to accommodate the guides 24. The plungers are of an area nearly equal to the cross section of receptacle 10, but provide for access of water between them and the inner side of the receptacle. The said washing receptacle may be perforated at various points if desired'to provide a f'ree flow of water betweenthe interior of the washing container and the tub 1; this is wholly a matter of choice. Sufiicient flow of water should be provided for in any event between the tub 1 and the washing receptacle.

Un the inner face of each wall -4 I have provided a fixed cam which is adapted to cooperate with the plungers during the rotation of the'receptacle 10 in order to cause said plungers to reciprocate from and toward the central partition 17. The cams that I prefer to use for this purpose are symmetrical, three-lobed cams 34 arranged concentrically with respect to the axis about which said receptacle rotates. Each'cam is so designed that all straight lines drawn from 1 any. point on its periphery through the center thereof to an opposite point'on the periphery are of equal length. Said cams 34 are'mounted with a lobe in a vertical position upon the inside of the walls 4 so that the other lobes will not obstruct the removal of the receptacle through thetop of the tub. They may be cast or secured to plates 35, which may be "bolted to the said walls 4 by bolts 36, the

central portion of the plate 35 having openings at 37 to admit the bearing members12. Each of the members 26 and 27 of the twopart connecting bar described is provided with two cam engaging means normally separated from each other a distance equal to the length of a straight line intersecting the center of said three-lobed cam and-termiuating at its perimeter.- These studs may mmsist of pins 38 threaded into the members 26 and 27, respectively, and upon said pins there may be anti-friction rollers 39 adapted toengage, the perimeter of said cam. In Figure 2 the studs upon-the connecting rod are shown equally spaced from the axis upon which the receptacle -10 rotates. In that position (in the construction shown) the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical receptacle 10 is horizontal. As the receptacle 10 is revolved about its transverse axis the studs will be reciprocated by the lobes of the cam and will cause corresponding movement of theconnecting bars and plunger heads 19, said movement havlng an amplitude equal to the difference in radial distance from its center of that part of the cam which is farthest from the center, to

wit. the'ends of the lobes 40, and that part'.

.10 upward of the cam which is nearest the center, to wit, the depression 41 between the lobes; and with the three-lobe camdisclosed it will be apparent that there will be three reciprocations or complete outward and inwardmovements of the plungers 19 to'each complete rotation of the receptaclelO. By reason of the elastic connection between the plungers 19, before described, any excess of pressure on one or the other of the plungers 19 when it is approaching the partition 17, as by reason of a larger number of articles in one compartment than in theother, will be compensated for by the springs and relieve the mechanism of any tendency to jam or any danger of breakage of the parts yor of excessive pressure'being placed upon the articles being treated. The presence of the springs also tends to produce an easy operation of the mechanism and compensates for any imperfections that may exist in the manufacture or design of the cam or that may be produced by wear of the parts.

i The receptacle 10 may be rotated by any.

suitable motor mechanism geared to one or both of the trunnions 11 or the device .may-' be operated by hand. In .the embodiment from the partition 17. and will draw the A liquid that is, between it and the partition 17 through the fabric articles .con tained therein and through the partition 17 from the other compartment, while the opposite plunger 19 moving in the same dirrection as the plunger just referred to, will act to force the. liquid through the partition and-through the fabric articles contained therein and through the partition 17 Thus each plunger, whether moving'away. from or towa d the partition, effects movement of the liquid through the clothing or other articles contained within the washing receptacle, one plunger acting as a suction device to draw the liquid through thepartition" and the plunger on the other side acting as a force pump or piston to force the Water or other liquid through the-partition. Not only. is the liquid caused to travel backward and forwardthrough the interstices of the fabric by the backward and forward movement of the plungers upon opposite sides of the central perforated partitionbut the liquid is also caused to fall from end to end of the receptacle by reason of the elongated construction thereof, continued rotation causing the liquid to wash back and forth from end to end, passing repeatedly during the rotations from one side of the partition to the other through and around the fabric articles contained in the receptacle. Thus, the tumbling action of the liquid within the receptacle supplements the action of the plungers in forcing it backward.

and forward through the interstices of the fabric. 7

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A receptacle, a partition dividing the receptacle into two chambers said partition being so constructed as to permit a liquid to pass freely therethrough from one side to the other, aplunger on each side of said partition, and means for simultaneously operating the plungers so as to cause one to approach the partition and the other to recede therefrom in unison along an axis common to both. I

2. The combination of a receptacle, a partition dividing the receptacle into two parallel sided chambers, said partition being so constructed as to permit liquid to pass freely therethrough from one side to the other, plungers disposed one on each side of said partition and facing each other, said plungers having an area but slightly less than the cross sectional area of the chambers and means for causing said plungers to move simultaneously in the same direction whereby when one plunger is approaching the partition the other plunger is moving away therefrom.

3. The combination of a receptacle, a partition dividing said receptacle into two parallel sided chambers, said partition being so constructed as to permit liquid to pass freely therethrough from one side to the 'other,-a plunger'on each side of said partition, said plungers a proximately fitting the interior of the charm ers, means for moving said plungers simultaneously in the same direction in such manner as to cause one plunger to approach the partition while the other plunger is moving away therefrom, said means comprising a yieldable .connection between the plunger-s so disposed as to naaaeea tacle, a pervious partition dividing the receptacle into chambers, a plunger on each side of the partition, and means rendered operative by the rotation of the receptacle for causing said plungers to reciprocate toward and from the partition so that one plunger approaches the partition while the other retreats therefrom.

7. The combination of a receptacle, a pari-tition dividing said receptacle into two chambers,'said-partition being so constructed as to permit liquid to pass therethrough from one side to the other, a plunger on each sideof the partition, a connecting bar extending from one plunger to the other, said connecting bar comprising two members held together by a spring, and means operating on each member to reciprocate it and thereby the plungers simultaneously in the same direction.

- 8. The combination of a receptacle, apartition dividing said receptacle into two chambers, said partition being so constructed as to permit liquid to pass therethrough from one side to the other, a plunger on each side of said partition and movable toward and from said partition along a common axis, elastic means connecting said plungers to each other, and means alternately to force the respective plungers positively away from the partition whereby each plunger as it moves toward the partition will approach it with a yielding pressure.

9. The combination of a receptacle, a partition dividing the receptacle into two chambers, said partition being so constructed as to permit liquid to pass therethrough from one side to the other, a plunger on each side of said partition, means for elastically connecting said plungers together, engaging devices rigid with respect to each of said plungers, and a cam disposed between said engaging devices and adapted alternately to force the respective plungers positively away from the partition whereby each plunger as it moves toward the partition will approach it with a yielding pressure.

10. The combination of a receptacle, a partition dividing the receptacle into two chambers, said partition being so constructed as to permit liquid to pass therethrough from one side to the other, a plunger on each side of said partition, a connecting bar extending between said plungers, a multiple lobed cam of such form that all strai ht lines drawn from edge to edge through t e center thereof are of vequal length, two contact members on said bar engaging, respectively, diametrically opposite points on .the periphery ofthe cam, and means for effecting a relative rotation between the cam and said receptacle.

. unison, said bar being composed of two members, a spring yieldingly forcing said two members toward each other, a multiple lobed cam of such form that all straight lines drawn from edge to edge through the center are of equal length, and a contact device on each member engaging said cam and means for effecting relative rotation between said cam and said receptacle.

12. The combination of a receptacle, a partition dividing said receptacle into two chambers, said partition being so constructed as to permit liquid to fiow therethrough from one side to the other, a plunger on each side of said partition, bars disposed outside of the receptacle in parallel relation opposite each other, means for connecting both bars to said plungers and means forreciprm cating the bars.

v13. The combination of a receptacle, a pervious partition dividing the receptacle into two chambers, a lunger on each side of said chamber, said receptacle having: opposite grooves in --it s exterior and-external guide bearings, bars arranged in said grooves and slidable in said bearings, means for connecting the plungers to said bars, and means for reciprocating said bars.

14. The combination of a support, a'ro t'ary receptacle pivoted on the support, a partition in said receptacle, said partition being so constructed as to permit liquid to flow freely from one side to the other thereof, a plunger on each side of said partition, a connecting means between said plungers whereby they reciprocate in unison in the same direction,- means whereby the receptacle may be revolved, and cooperating means on the bars-and on said support" for causing the connecting means to reciprocate owing to the revolutions of the receptacle.

15. The combination of a support, a receptacle adapted to be rotated in said support, a partition in the receptacle dividing it into chambers, said partition being so constructed as to permit liquid to flow freely therethrough from one chamber to the other, a plunger on each side of the partition, meansconnecting said plungers soas to compel them to reciprocate in unison, a cam secured to said support, and operative connections between said cam and said connecting means whereby the revolutions of the receptacle cause the plungers to reciprocate in unison.-

therethrough from one chamber to the other,

respective plungers positively away from the partition whereby each plunger as it moves toward the partition will approach it with a yielding pressure.

17. The combination of a support, a receptacle adapted to be rotated in said support, a partition in the receptacle dividing .it into chambers, said partition being so constructed as to permit liquid to flow freely a plungeron each side of the partition, elastic means connecting said plungers, contact means connected with each plunger whereby it maybe "forced away from the partition and a cam on the support the periphery of which is disposed between said contact means whereby each plunger may be forced positively away from the partition alternately and be drawn elastically toward said partition.

' 18. The combination of a support, a symmetrical three-lobed cam secured to said support, a receptacle journaled concentrically with respect tothe cam, a partition dividing the receptacle into two chambers, said 100 partition being so constructed as to permit liquid to flow freely from one side to the other thereof, a plunger on each side of the partition, a connecting bar connecting said plungers, spaced means on the connecting.

bar arranged respectively to engage the cam at opposite sides of its center, and means whereby said receptacle may be rotated;

19. The combination of a support, a threelobed cam secured thereto, a receptacle jour- 1,10 naled concentrically with respect to the cam,

a partition dividing said. receptacle into two chambers, said partition being so constructed as to permit liquid to flow freely therethrough from one side to the other, a plun- 116 ger on each side of said partition, a connecting bar connecting said plungers, said bar being composed of two parts held together by a spring, means on each of said parts respectively disposed .to engage said cam on 120 opposite sides of the center, and mean whereby said receptacle may be rotated.

20. The combination of a tub or other support, an elongated receptacle journaled therein between its ends, a partition dividing said elongated receptacle into two chambers, said partition being constructed to permit liquid to flow therethrough from one chamber to the other, a plunger on each side of said partition, means whereby said recepaxis intermediate its ends said receptacle having openings in its opposite ends adapted to admit water from the tub during rotation of the receptacle, and means whereby articles to be washed or otherwise treated may be enclosed Within the receptacle.

22. The combination of a tub, of an oblong receptacle journaled therein on a transverse axis intermediate the ends of the receptacle, a pervious transverse partition within the receptacle, removable members whereby articles to be Washed or otherwise treated may be inserted at opposite ends of the receptacle and openings in the ends adapted to admit water from the tub during rotations of the receptacle.

'23. r The combination of a tub having aligned bearing openings in opposite sides thereof, a receptacle adapted to rotate within said tub, oppositely aligned trunnions re movably threaded to the receptacle and extending through the bearings in the tub, the construction being such that the trunnions may be unscrewed from the exterior of the tub and the receptacle lifted therefrom.

24:. The combination of a tub, a receptacle rotatable therein, plungers in the receptacle, cams oppositely disposed and fixed to the inner walls of the tub, means connected to the 'plungers arranged to engage the cams, bearing openings in-the tub disposed centrally of the cams and trunnions removably connected to the receptacle and extending through the bearing openings, said trunnions being adapted to be removed from the ex'te rior of the tub.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

DAVID M. WENGER. 

